Ultra thin image sensor package structure and method for fabrication

ABSTRACT

An image sensor package having at least one chip supporting bar secured to a top surface of an image sensor chip. The thickness of the chip supporting bar is absorbed within a vertical dimension of wire loops that connect bonding pads to leads so that the chip supporting bar does not contribute to the thickness of the image sensor package. An exposed back surface of the image sensor chip enhances thermal dissipation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/491,392, filed Jul. 20, 2006 now U.S. Pat No 7,521,783, which is adivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/865,983, filed Jun. 12, 2004now U.S. Pat No. 7,102,159, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor fabricationmethods and, more particularly, to fabrication of an ultra thin imagesensor package structure.

2. Description of Related Art

Personal devices that employ image sensors are rapidly proliferating.Personal data assistants (PDAs) and cell phones now join digital camerasand camcorders in the family of products that frequently include imagesensing capabilities. Because of their small size and the requirementfor portability, such products benefit greatly from the existence ofminiature electronics. Any opportunity to reduce the size, weight, andpower consumption of image sensing electronic components accrues to thebenefit of these personal devices and, therefore, to the public ingeneral in terms of convenience and utility.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a prior-art image sensor package10 that may appear in a device such as a digital camera. This packagecomprises an image sensor chip 15 that is supported by a leadframe 20.Leads 25 on the leadframe 20 are connected to a plurality of bondingpads 30 on the image sensor chip 15 by a plurality of wire loops 35. Atransparent lid 40 disposed on a surface of the image sensor package 10allows light to reach an active light-sensitive surface on the imagesensor chip 15. The entire assembly is encapsulated in a plastic package45 that protects the internal components from dust, moisture, andmechanical damage.

Each of the components just introduced contributes to the thickness andweight of the image sensor package 10. In particular, a bottom portion50 of the plastic package 45, the leadframe 20 that supports the imagesensor chip 15, the image sensor chip 15 itself, the height of the wireloops 35, and the thickness of the transparent lid 40 all contribute toa total thickness of the device. Each of these components has a weightas well that contributes to the total weight of the device. Further, thebottom portion 50 of the plastic package 45 may act as a thermalinsulator that undesirably tends to impede the dissipation of heatgenerated by the image sensor chip 15.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of another prior art image sensorpackage 60 packaged in, for example, a quad flat pack (QFP). Thisexemplary device also comprises an image sensor chip 65 that issupported by a leadframe 70. As before, leads 75 on the leadframe 70 areconnected to bonding pads 80 on the image sensor chip 65 by wire loops85. A transparent lid 90 disposed on a surface of the package allowslight to reach an active light-sensitive surface on the image sensorchip 65. The entire assembly is encapsulated in a plastic package 95that protects the internal components from dust, moisture, andmechanical damage. It should be noted that the leadframe 70, forexample, contributes to the thickness and weight of the image sensorpackage 60.

As the capabilities of image sensing products continue to expand, whilethe demand for smaller and more lightweight products expands, a needcontinues in the prior art for image sensor packages that are relativelythin and lightweight compared to existing packages. A further needexists for packages that can efficiently dissipate heat generated byimage sensor chips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses these needs by providing an image sensorpackage with a support for an image sensor chip disposed on a top activesurface of the image sensor chip. In certain embodiments, elimination ofa portion of the leadframe can contribute to a reduction in thicknessand weight of the image sensor package. A back surface of the imagesensor chip can be exposed, thereby enhancing thermal dissipation.

One embodiment of the present invention takes the form of an imagesensor package comprising an image sensor chip having an active surfaceand a corresponding back surface. The active surface can comprise alight receiving area and a peripheral area having a plurality of bondingpads. The image sensor package further may comprise a leadframe having aplurality of leads disposed at a periphery of the image sensor chip, theleads having bonding and non-bonding surfaces. The leadframe further maycomprise at least one elongated chip supporting bar that is attached tothe peripheral area of the image sensor chip in a manner that does notinterfere with the plurality of bonding pads. A plurality of wiresfurther may be disposed to electrically connect the bonding pads to thebonding surfaces of the leads. An encapsulation may cover at least aportion of the image sensor chip, the bonding surfaces of the pluralityof leads, and a portion of the at least one elongated chip supportingbar. Typically, the encapsulation forms a cavity over the activesurface, exposing the light receiving area. A transparent lid normallycan be disposed over the cavity to direct light to the light receivingarea.

The present invention further comprises a method of fabricating an imagesensor package. An embodiment of the method can comprise providing aleadframe having a plurality of leads, each lead having a bondingsurface and a non-bonding surface. Portions of the leadframe may beencapsulated to form a chip support cavity having an inner surface. Thebonding surfaces of the leads can remain exposed after theencapsulation. An image sensor chip is further provided, the imagesensor chip having an active surface that includes a light receivingarea and a peripheral area having a plurality of bonding pads. The imagesensor chip may comprise a back surface corresponding to or opposite tothe active surface, the back surface attaching to the inner surface ofthe chip support cavity. Wires may be connected between the bonding padsand the bonding surfaces of the leads, and a transparent lid may beformed. The transparent lid can be disposed to direct light to the lightreceiving area.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake ofgrammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expresslyunderstood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 U.S.C.112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by theconstruction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accordedthe full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition providedby the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in thecase where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 U.S.C. 112 areto be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 U.S.C. 112.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are includedwithin the scope of the present invention provided that the featuresincluded in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as willbe apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge ofone skilled in the art. For purposes of summarizing the presentinvention, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention are described herein. Of course, it is to be understood thatnot necessarily all such aspects, advantages or features will beembodied in any particular embodiment of the present invention.Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparentin the following detailed description and claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior-art image sensor package;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another prior-art image sensorpackage;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of an embodiment of an image sensor packagefabricated according to the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the image sensorpackage illustrated in FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4-6 are cross-sectional views of exemplary embodiments of imagesensor packages fabricated in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 7-9 are cross-sectional views of additional embodiments of imagesensor packages fabricated according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram describing an illustrative method offabricating an image sensor package in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram describing another example of a method offabricating an image sensor package according to the present invention;and

FIGS. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views of an image sensor packagethat illustrates steps of the method described in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar referencenumbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to thesame or like parts. It should be noted that the drawings are insimplified form and are not to precise scale. In reference to thedisclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only,directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over,above, below, beneath, rear, and front, are used with respect to theaccompanying drawings. Such directional terms should not be construed tolimit the scope of the invention in any manner.

Although the disclosure herein refers to certain illustratedembodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are presentedby way of example and not by way of limitation. The intent of thefollowing detailed description, although discussing exemplaryembodiments, is to be construed to cover all modifications,alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments as may fall within thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Itis to be understood and appreciated that the process steps andstructures described herein do not cover a complete process flow for themanufacture of image sensor packages. The present invention may bepracticed in conjunction with various integrated circuit fabricationtechniques that are conventionally used in the art, and only so much ofthe commonly practiced structure and process steps are included hereinas are necessary to provide an understanding of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3A, a plan view of a portion of anembodiment of an image sensor package 100, fabricated according to thepresent invention, is shown. The illustrated embodiment portioncomprises an image sensor chip 105 having an active surface 110. Theactive surface 110 comprises a light receiving area 112 capable ofreceiving light and a peripheral area 115 that may surround the lightreceiving area 112. A plurality of bonding pads 125 is disposed on theperipheral area 115 of the image sensor chip 105. A leadframe comprisinga plurality of leads 130 surrounds the image sensor chip 105. Aplurality of conductive wires 135 connects the plurality of bonding pads125 to the plurality of leads 130. According to a typical embodiment ofthe image sensor package 100, each of the plurality of leads 130 has abonding surface and a non-bonding surface as is more particularlydescribed in that which follows.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the leadframecomprises at least one elongated chip supporting bar 120 which may besecured to the peripheral area 115 of the image sensor chip 105. Thechip supporting bar 120 normally is placed so as to extend outwardlyfrom an edge of the active surface 110 and further is placed so as notto interfere with the bonding pads 125 or the light receiving area 112.The chip supporting bar 120 may be secured to the image sensor chip 105by, for example, a solid (e.g., film) or liquid (e.g., epoxy)non-conducting adhesive. The illustrated embodiment portion comprisesfour chip supporting bars 120 attached to the peripheral area 115 of theimage sensor chip 105. In modified embodiments, greater or fewer chipsupporting bars 120 may be implemented. A cross-sectional view of theportion of image sensor package 100 is illustrated in FIG. 3B, thecross-section being taken along the line 3B-3B′ of FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4-6 are cross-sectional views of exemplary embodiments of imagesensor packages fabricated according to various aspects of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an imagesensor package 200 comprising an image sensor chip 205 having an activesurface 210. A plurality of bonding pads 225 are disposed on a peripheryof the active surface 210. A leadframe comprising a plurality of leads230 having bonding surfaces 231 and non-bonding surfaces 232 surroundsthe image sensor chip 205. A plurality of conductive wires 235 connectsthe bonding pads 225 to the bonding surfaces 231 of the leads 230. Atleast one elongated chip supporting bar (cf. FIGS. 3A and 3B), securedto a top surface of the image sensor chip 205, supports the image sensorchip 205.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 further comprises a cavity 245 anda transparent lid 250 disposed on a top of the image sensor package 200.The transparent lid 250, which may have one or more of a concave,convex, or flat shape, is capable of receiving light and of directingthe light through the cavity 245 to the active surface 210 of the imagesensor chip 205. The embodiment further comprises a plastic package 255that encapsulates parts of the image sensor chip 205, the leadframe, thewires 235, and the leads 230, while protecting the image sensor chip 205from dust, moisture, and mechanical damage. In the illustratedembodiment, plastic is chosen as an insulating material to cover thewires 235. A bottom portion 260 of the plastic package 255 underlies theimage sensor chip 205.

As a result of the chip supporting bar being secured to the activesurface 210 of the image sensor chip 205, the image sensor chip 205 issupported, so that, for example, the leadframe does not need to underlieand support the image sensor chip 205. The height of the chip supportingbar may be less than the height 240 of loops formed by the wires 235.Therefore, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, theheight of the chip supporting bar does not contribute to the totalheight of the image sensor package 200. In order to further reduce thetotal package thickness, the height 240 of loops formed by the wires 235can be constructed to be less than the total thickness of the chipsupporting bar 120 and the non-conducting adhesive. Moreover, the imagesensor chip 205 does not need to be supported above the leadframe andthus can be disposed at a lower height within the image sensor package200. In contrast, the leadframes 20 (FIG. 1) and 70 (FIG. 2) underliethe image sensor chip and undesirably contribute to the total heights ofthe respective image sensor packages 10 and 60.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of animage sensor package 300 comprising an image sensor chip 305 having anactive surface 310 and a corresponding back surface 312. A plurality ofbonding pads 325 is disposed about a periphery of the active surface310. A leadframe comprising a plurality of leads 330 having bondingsurfaces 331 and non-bonding surfaces 332 surrounds the image sensorchip 305. A plurality of conductive wires 335 connects the bonding pads325 to the bonding surfaces 331 of the leads 330. At least one elongatedchip supporting bar (cf. FIGS. 3A and 3B) is secured to a top surface ofthe image sensor chip 305 for supporting the image sensor chip 305. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 further comprises a cavity 345 and atransparent lid 350 disposed on a top of the image sensor package 300.The transparent lid 350, which may be concave, convex, or flat, iscapable of receiving light and of directing the light through the cavity345 to the active surface 310 of the image sensor chip 305. Theembodiment further comprises a plastic package 355 that encapsulatesparts of the image sensor chip 305, the leadframe, the wires 335, andthe leads 330 while protecting the image sensor chip 305 from dust,moisture, and mechanical damage.

The height of the chip supporting bar, which in the illustratedembodiment is secured to the active surface 310 of the image sensor chip305, may be less than the height 340 of loops formed by the wires 335.In order to further reduce the total package thickness, the height 340of loops formed by the wires 335 can be constructed to be less than thetotal thickness of the chip supporting bar and the non-conductingadhesive securing the chip supporting bar to the image sensor chip 305.As a result of the image sensor chip 305 not being supported above theleadframe, a relative position of the image sensor chip 305 can belowered within the image sensor package 300, whereby for example aheight of the chip supporting bar does not contribute to the totalheight of the image sensor package 300. The plastic package 355 in theillustrated embodiment does not comprise a bottom portion. Therefore,the back surface 312 of the image sensor chip 305 may be exposed to anexternal environment, thereby enhancing the dissipation of heatgenerated by the image sensor chip 305. The absence of a bottom portioncan reduce the height of the image sensor package 300 when compared withthe prior art image sensor package illustrated in FIG. 1 in which thebottom portion 50 contributes to the height of the image sensor package10.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of another imagesensor package 400 comprising an image sensor chip 405 having an activesurface 410. At least one elongated chip supporting bar (cf. FIGS. 3Aand 3B) is secured to a top surface of the image sensor chip 405 andsupports the image sensor chip 405. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6further comprises a cavity 445 and a transparent lid 450, which maycomprise at least one of a concave, convex, or flat shape, disposed on atop of the image sensor package 400. The transparent lid 450 is capableof receiving light and of directing the light through the cavity 445 tothe active surface 410 of the image sensor chip 405. A plurality ofbonding pads 425 is disposed on a periphery of the active surface 410within the cavity 445. A leadframe comprising a plurality of leads 430having bonding surfaces 431 and non-bonding surfaces 432 surrounds theimage sensor chip 405. A plurality of conductive wires 435 connects thebonding pads 425 to the bonding surfaces 431 of the leads 430. Theembodiment further comprises a package 455 that encapsulates parts ofthe image sensor chip 405, the leadframe, and the leads 430 whileprotecting the image sensor chip 405 from dust, moisture, and mechanicaldamage. As a result of the package 455 not covering the bonding pads425, bonding surfaces 431 and wires 435, the package 455 may be formedof a plastic resin as with previous embodiments or may comprise othermaterials such as ceramic.

As with the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, a height of the chipsupporting bar may be less than the height 440 of loops formed by thewires 435 as a result of the lower position of the image sensor chip405. Therefore, the height of the chip supporting bar does notcontribute to the total height of the image sensor package 400. In orderto further reduce the total package thickness, the height 440 of loopsformed by the wires 435 can be constructed to be less than the totalthickness of the chip supporting bar and the non-conducting adhesivethat secures the chip supporting bar to the image sensor chip 405.

The package 455 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a bottom portion460 that may be thinner than the bottom portion 50 of the prior artimage sensor package 10 of FIG. 1. This thinner bottom portion 460contributes less to the height of the image sensor package 400 whencompared with the contribution of the bottom portion 50 to the height ofthe prior art image sensor package 10. In a modified embodiment, thebottom portion 460 may be omitted to expose a surface of the imagesensor chip 405. FIGS. 7-9 are cross-sectional views of additionalembodiments of image sensor packages fabricated according to variousaspects of the present invention. Generally, these figures correspond toearlier-discussed embodiments with differences including (i) thenon-bonding surfaces of leads being exposed to function as terminals(rather than outer leads) for electrical connection with a substratesuch as a printed circuit board, and (ii) the chip back surfaces beingexposed to enhance thermal dispersion. Compared with the prior art(e.g., FIG. 2) the total package thickness can be reduced by eliminatingthe chip supporting pad 70 (FIG. 2). FIG. 7 may be likened to FIG. 5,FIG. 8 may be likened to FIG. 6 but with the back surface exposed, andFIG. 9 may be likened to FIG. 7 but with a different encapsulationcavity shape.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an image sensorpackage 500 comprising an image sensor chip 505 having an active surface510 and a corresponding back surface 512. At least one elongated chipsupporting bar (cf. FIGS. 3A and 3B) coupled to a top surface of theimage sensor chip 505 supports the image sensor chip 505. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7 further comprises a cavity 545 and a transparentlid 550 disposed on a top of the image sensor package 500. Thetransparent lid 550, which may have one or more of a concave, convex, orflat shape, is capable of receiving light and of directing the lightthrough the cavity 545 to the active surface 510 of the image sensorchip 505. A plurality of bonding pads 525 is disposed on the peripheryof the active surface 510 within the cavity 545. A leadframe comprisinga plurality of leads 530 having bonding surfaces 531 and non-bondingsurfaces 532 may surround the image sensor chip 505. A plurality ofconductive wires 535 connects the bonding pads 525 to the bondingsurfaces 531 of the leads 530. The embodiment further comprises aplastic package 555 that encapsulates, for example, parts of the wires535 and the leads 530, while protecting the image sensor chip 505 fromdust, moisture, and mechanical damage. The height of the chip supportingbar may be less than the height 540 of loops formed by the wires 535.Therefore, the height of the chip supporting bar does not contribute tothe total height of the image sensor package 500. In order to reduce thetotal package thickness, the height 540 of loops formed by the wires 535can be constructed to be less than the total thickness of the chipsupporting bar and the non-conducting adhesive securing the chipsupporting bar to the image sensor chip 505. The plastic package 555 inthe illustrated embodiment does not comprise a bottom portion.Therefore, the back surface 512 of the image sensor chip 505 may beexposed to an external environment, thereby enhancing the dissipation ofheat generated by the image sensor chip 505.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of another imagesensor package 600 comprising an image sensor chip 605 having an activesurface 610 and a corresponding back surface 612. At least one elongatedchip supporting bar (cf. FIGS. 3A and 3B), which is secured to a topsurface of the image sensor chip 605, supports the image sensor chip605. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 further comprises a cavity 645and a transparent lid 650 disposed on a top of the image sensor package600. The transparent lid 650 is capable of receiving light and ofdirecting the light through the cavity 645 to the active surface 610 ofthe image sensor chip 605. A plurality of bonding pads 625 is disposedon the periphery of the active surface 610 within the cavity 645. Aleadframe comprising a plurality of leads 630 having bonding surfaces631 and non-bonding surfaces 632 may surround the image sensor chip 605.A plurality of conductive wires 635 connects the bonding pads 625 to thebonding surfaces 631 of the leads 630. The embodiment further comprisesa package 655 surrounding and/or encapsulating, for example, a portionof the image sensor chip 605 and the bonding surfaces 631 of the leads630 while protecting the image sensor chip 605 from dust, moisture, andmechanical damage. As a result of the package 655 not covering thebonding pads 625, bonding surfaces 631 and wires 635, the package 655may be formed of a plastic resin or may comprise other materials such asceramic. The height of the chip supporting bar may be less than theheight 640 of loops formed by the wires 635. Therefore, the height ofthe chip supporting bar does not contribute to the total height of theimage sensor package 600. As mentioned above, the height 640 of loopsformed by the wires 635 can be constructed to be less than the totalthickness of the chip supporting bar and the non-conducting adhesivesecuring the chip supporting bar to the image sensor chip 405, tothereby reduce the total package thickness.

The plastic package 655 in the illustrated embodiment does not comprisea bottom portion. Therefore, the back surface 612 of the image sensorchip 605 may be exposed to an external environment, thereby enhancingthe dissipation of heat generated by the image sensor chip 605.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a modified image sensor package 700having a structure similar to that of FIG. 7 except for the plasticpackage encompassing more of the transparent lid. In particular, thesensor package 700 comprises an image sensor chip 705 having an activesurface 710 and a corresponding back surface 712. At least one elongatedchip supporting bar (cf. FIGS. 3A and 3B), secured to a top surface ofthe image sensor chip 705, supports the image sensor chip 705. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 further comprises a cavity 745 and atransparent lid 750 disposed on a top of the image sensor package 700.The transparent lid 750 is capable of receiving light and of directingthe light through the cavity 745 to the active surface 710 of the imagesensor chip 705. A plurality of bonding pads 725 is disposed on theperiphery of the active surface 710 within the cavity 745. A leadframecomprising a plurality of leads 730 having bonding surfaces 731 andnon-bonding surfaces 732 may surround the image sensor chip 705. Aplurality of conductive wires 735 connects the bonding pads 725 to thebonding surfaces of the leads 730. The embodiment further comprises aplastic package 755 that encapsulates, for example, portions of theimage sensor chip 705, wires 735, leads 730, and transparent lid 750,while protecting the image sensor chip 705 from dust, moisture, andmechanical damage. The height 740 of loops formed by wires 735 may beconstructed to be less than the total thickness of the chip supportingbar and the non-conducting adhesive securing the chip supporting bar tothe image sensor chip 605, for a reduced total package thickness.

In one or more of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4-9, parts of theleadframe, wires and image sensor chip may be encapsulated by moldingresin configured to allow the active surface of the image sensor chip toreceive light.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that describes an illustrative method offabricating an image sensor package according to an implementation ofthe present invention. The method is described with reference to FIGS.3A and 4, although the method could apply as well to the embodiments of,for example, FIGS. 5-9. Referring to FIG. 3A, an image sensor chip 105is provided at step 800. The image sensor chip 105 typically comprisesan active surface 110 that, according to an exemplary embodiment,comprises a light receiving area 112 and a peripheral area 115 having aplurality of bonding pads 125. A leadframe, including a plurality ofleads 130 and at least one elongated chip supporting bar 120, isprovided at step 805, which step, as with the other steps, may occur ina different order from that discussed and shown. For example, step 805may occur commensurate in time with or separate from step 800. Also,with reference to, for example, the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 8, sincethe encapsulating does not cover the wires, step 815 may be performedbefore or after step 820. Of course, when step 820 is implemented toconstruct the structures of FIG. 6 or 8, the wires may not beencapsulated at all. The at least one elongated chip supporting bar 120is connected to the peripheral area 115 at step 810 in a manner thatdoes not interfere with the plurality of bonding pads 125. Wires 135 areconnected between the bonding pads 125 and the leads 130 at step 815.The leadframe, wires 135 (optionally), and image sensor chip 105 are atleast partially surrounded and/or encapsulated in molding resin at step820. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 illustrates an example of acavity 245 that, according to an implementation of the presentinvention, may be formed by the encapsulation. A transparent lid 250(FIG. 4) is formed at step 825 to direct light to and to seal the lightreceiving area 112 (FIG. 3A).

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, an image sensor packageis fabricated without chip supporting bars as described in FIG. 11 withreference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. The constructions and steps of thisembodiment may be combined with any of the above implementations inmodified embodiments. A leadframe having a plurality of leads isprovided at step 830. For example, leads 930 having bonding surfaces 931and non-bonding surfaces 932 may be provided. Portions of the leadframeand the leads 930 may be encapsulated at step 835 in molding resin 955or in ceramic material that also may form a chip support cavity havingan inner surface 915. Normally, portions of the bonding surfaces 931 ofthe leads 930 remain exposed following the encapsulation. An imagesensor chip 905 is provided at step 840, the chip having an activesurface 910 and a corresponding back surface 912 that is attached to theinner surface 915 of the chip support cavity. In a modified embodiment,the molding resin 955 beneath the image sensor chip 905 may be omitted(e.g., before insertion of the image sensor chip 905) to expose part orall of the back surface 912 of the image sensor chip 905. The activesurface 910 may have a light receiving area and a peripheral areaincluding a plurality of bonding pads 925. Wires are connected betweenthe plurality of bonding pads 925 and the bonding surfaces 931 of theleads 930 at step 845. A transparent lid 950, which may have at leastone of a concave, convex, or flat shape, is formed at step 850, thetransparent lid 950 being disposed to direct light to the lightreceiving area of the active surface 910 of the image sensor chip 905.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that the methods of the present invention can facilitate fabricationof image sensor packages. The above-described embodiments have beenprovided by way of example, and the present invention is not limited tothese examples. Multiple variations and modification to the disclosedembodiments will occur, to the extent not mutually exclusive, to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the foregoing description.Additionally, other combinations, omissions, substitutions andmodifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of thedisclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended tobe limited by the disclosed embodiments, but is to be defined byreference to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A leadframe device, comprising: a plurality ofleads configured for being coupled to bonding pads of a chip; and aplurality of noncurvilinear supporting bars positioned differently fromthe leads, the supporting bars comprising elongate strips which radiallyextend from but are not branch-shaped and do not encircle a centralregion of the device and which have height-dimensions up to but notabove apexes of the leadframe device, and the supporting bars beingattached to the chip without the supporting bars or any structuresintegrally formed with the supporting bars contacting or extending overan active region of the chip or a region of the chip that is beneath theactive region, behind the active region, or on a side of the chipopposite to the active region, whereby the supporting bars and thebonding pads are directly coupled to a periphery of the chip and heightsof the supporting bars do not contribute to the total height of thedevice.
 2. The leadframe device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: thechip is an image sensor chip and the active region is a light receivingarea; and each supporting bar terminates outside of the light receivingarea with no portion of a supporting bar and no structure integrallyformed with a supporting bar extending over the light receiving area. 3.The leadframe device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each supportingbar has an end surface that is closest to the central region and isattached to the periphery on a top or active surface of the chip.
 4. Theleadframe device as set forth in claim 1, wherein end surfaces of thesupporting bars are attached to a chip without contacting a central areaof the chip.
 5. The leadframe device as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe elongate strip of each supporting bar has a top surface, a bottomsurface, and an end extending therebetween on a part of the elongatestrip closest to the central region, the bottom surfaces being disposedon the periphery of the chip at the ends.
 6. The leadframe device as setforth in claim 1, wherein the elongate strip defining each supportingbar is connected, at a tip thereof and via a bottom surface thereof, tothe chip.
 7. The leadframe device as set forth in claim 1, wherein thesupporting bars have end surfaces that extend parallel to the heightdimension and are disposed closest to the central region, and whereinthe supporting bars are attached to a top or active surface of the chipwithout contacting an active region of the chip.
 8. The leadframe deviceas set forth in claim 1, wherein each supporting bar is attached at anend surface thereof to a top or active surface of an image sensor chipbetween adjacent pairs of bonding pads.
 9. The leadframe device as setforth in claim 1, wherein the supporting bars are directly attached to atop or active surface of the chip, and to surround an active region ofthe chip on the top or active surface without interfering with theactive region.
 10. A chip package structure, comprising: a chipincluding a secured top surface having an active region and furtherincluding an exposed back surface; a plurality of noncurvilinearsupporting bars directly coupled to the chip so as to radially extendfrom but not have branch shapes or form a closed boundary around theactive region, wherein an end surface on a part of each supporting barclosest to the active region is secured to one of a plurality oflocations on the top surface, the locations surrounding the activeregion; and a leadframe surrounding the top surface.
 11. The chippackage structure as set forth in claim 10, characterized by: thesupporting bars being disposed on and extending outwardly beyond aperipheral area of the chip; and an encapsulation covering the chip andat least parts of the supporting bars.
 12. The chip package structure asset forth in claim 10, wherein the leadframe does not interfere with theactive region, the chip package structure comprises a wire connecting abonding pad to a lead, and a height (measured in a direction from thetop surface to the back surface) of a loop formed by the wire is lessthan a total thickness (measured in the same direction) of one of thesupporting bars.
 13. The chip package structure as set forth in claim10, wherein the leadframe comprises leads and at least one chipsupporting bar that is directly attached to and supports the chip. 14.The chip package structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein theleadframe comprises at least one chip supporting bar that extends in adirection away from the active region and extends beyond an outer edgeof the top surface.
 15. A chip package structure, comprising: a chiphaving a surface with a peripheral area; a plurality of noncurvilinearsupporting bars (a) extending radially from but not having branch shapesor forming a closed boundary around a region interior of the peripheralarea and (b) disposed over and extending beyond the peripheral area ofthe chip; an encapsulation covering the chip and at least parts of thesupporting bars; and a plurality of bonding pads disposed on theperipheral area at locations not covered by the supporting bars, and atop surface of encapsulated parts of the chip package structure beingsubstantially co-planar with a transparent lid of the chip packagestructure.
 16. The chip package structure as set forth in claim 15, thesupporting bars forming part of a leadframe, and the chip packagestructure further comprising: an active area on the chip; and aplurality of leads forming part of the leadframe and being disposedbeyond the peripheral area in locations not covered by the supportingbars.
 17. The chip package structure as set forth in claim 16, each ofthe bonding pads being disposed between the active area and one of theleads.
 18. The chip package structure as set forth in claim 17, the chiphaving a top surface and a bottom surface, and the chip packagestructure further comprising wires connecting the bonding pads to theleads, wherein heights of the supporting bars (measured in a directionfrom the top surface to the bottom surface) are less than heights(measured in the same direction) of the wires.
 19. The chip packagestructure as set forth in claim 17, the chip having a top surface and abottom surface, at least one of the supporting bars comprising anonconducting adhesive which contacts the chip, and the chip packagestructure further comprising a wire connecting one of the bonding padsto one of the leads, wherein a height of the wire (measured in adirection from the top surface to the bottom surface) is less than acombined thickness (measured in the same direction) of the supportingbar and the adhesive.